A night for safety, security, awareness

Gig Harbor Police sponsored the local National Night Out event at City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Supported by U.S. Navy and Marines military personnel from Kitsap County, the event included static military displays, as well as hands-on demonstrations of the dangers of drunk driving, self-defense methods and getting a tiny taste of military boot camp. Also on hand were kids games by Discovery Village as well as face painting, food and live music. Military dogs were on hand for demonstrations. The site was even home to a "prank" black helicopter, complete with Gig Harbor Police emblems on its sides. GH Police Chief Mike Davis said a friend loaned the helicopter with the decals "because of course, this is how we ride in Gig harbor," he said with a laugh. Though staged for entertainment, the evening also has its serious side in reminding people to turn on exterior lights, use times to turn on and off lights when away and otherwise make it undesirable for criminals to target a home. The event took place along with similar events hosted across the country.

Alex Taylor, 11, visiting from Lewisville, Texas, dons some goggles that simulate vision after several alcoholic drinks and attempts to walk a white line for Ken Bossom, left, with Department of Defense Police out of Bremerton.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Clayton Williams, 7, visiting from northern California, tries his hand at one of several children’s games.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Gig Harbor Police explorer Jacqueline Hendrickson takes being part of the dunk tank game in stride.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

The actual wreckage where the young driver was killed while texting is a stark reminder of the danger of driving with distractions like a phone as Sarah Lerman, left, nanny of Layla Kuck, 7.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Naval Base Kitsap members provided a military dog demonstration as MASN Hubbell acts as an aggressor so Kimba, a 6-year-old Dutch shepherd can show her stuff.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Gig Harbor resident Ann Turner, left, and her husband, Sonny, right, enjoy some barbecue with their granddaughter, Kaitlyn, 4, of Purdy, while her mother helps at the concession stand.

Ric Hallock | Gig Harbor Life

Gabriel Linares, 9, visiting from New Jersey, tries his hand at striking George Paddleford, a security department crewman serving aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Regan ported in Bremerton. The exercise is meant to show children how to use verbal Judo to get suspect compliance.

U.S. Marines Corps members Cpl. Beach and Cpl. Carrier of the Security Force Battalion bark out some commands as, from left, Harborites Christie Rochette and her sons, Gabe, 9, Caleb, 13, and Timothy, 11, do push-ups. The “exercise” gives participants a taste of boot camp, from the corporals’ point of view.